In a dialogue programme themed ‘Strengthening Unity’ aired over RTM1 last night, special adviser to the Malaysian government on socio-cultural matters Rais Yatim stressed that only the education system is capable of strengthening unity among the various races in the country.

He said students of various races should study in the same school from their early years to foster the feeling of unity and harmony among the races. He stressed that separate education will bring conflict against one another.

The question of fostering unity via single stream education system has been raised in the past by some politicians who refuse to accept the fact that multi stream education system is not the cause of disunity in the nation. And Rais has joined the list of such politicians.

Undoubtedly, despite having achieved Independence for decades, Malaysia national unity remains fragile. But it is wrong for anyone to put education as the cause.

Education does not breed racism or cause disunity. Children do not have to study together to understand unity.

Malaysians of all races do not play badminton together but the recent excellent performance of our athletes has brought the nation together. Can we at least learn from here?

The major factors which have caused disunity of Malaysians are racial politics, racial policies and racial speeches.

Hence, the biggest cause of disunity in the country is none other than the BN government itself.

To achieve genuine unity, the government must be prepared to implement colour-blind policies which are fair to all. However, the BN government which has relied on racial politics to remain in power has refused to change.

Rais also proposed that the National Unity and Integration Department be further empowered to enhance unity.

“In my view the department now is small. We need to have a unity ministry so that we can be bold in implementing social ingredients more effectively,” he said.

Rais has outlived his usefulness and ought to retire as adviser to the government.

The issue is not having a more powerful or bigger Unity Ministry. The question is whether the BN government has the commitment and will to abandon racial politics and racial policies.

M KULASEGARAN is DAP national vice-chairperson and MP for Ipoh Barat.